November 28, 2024
Recently, three Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) from VAMMR had the opportunity to travel to California's Central Coast to assist researchers studying the southern sea otter population in Elkhorn Slough.
This trip was not just a chance to showcase their specialized skills—it was an unforgettable dive into conservation work alongside some of the best in the field.
Research News Featured
Nestled along California’s Central Coast, Elkhorn Slough is a rich estuarine ecosystem renowned for its biodiversity. Among its most cherished inhabitants are the southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). These charismatic creatures are a keystone species, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of this delicate ecosystem.
Southern sea otters once teetered on the brink of extinction, hunted extensively for their fur. By the early 20th century, only a small, isolated population remained. Thanks to decades of dedicated conservation efforts, the population has rebounded significantly, finding a vital habitat in Elkhorn Slough. Today, around 100 otters inhabit the area, though they remain classified as a threatened species due to ongoing challenges such as pollution and habitat degradation.
Lilian Carswell, a PhD student at UC Santa Cruz, leads a pivotal study on sea otter recovery and conservation. Her research focuses on understanding the factors influencing population dynamics, including habitat quality, prey availability, and human impacts like pollution and climate change.
The experience brought together three specialized teams—a capture team, a medical team (including the VAMMR RVTs), and a data team—working in harmony to safely study these vital marine mammals.
Using surface nets, the capture team safely captured and transported the otters in specialized boxes to a medical station at Moss Landing Harbor. There, each otter was sedated and carefully monitored during examinations.
The VAMMR team assisted with monitoring and with collecting essential data and biological samples, including blood, nasal mites, milk from lactating females, whiskers, fur, and measurements of length and girth. First-time captures were tagged with flipper tags, while previously tagged individuals underwent tag inspection and replacement if needed. Once the necessary data was collected, the otter’s sedation was reversed and once fully recovered, returned to their capture sites.
Over three days, the team captured and examined seven sea otters, including a mother and pup. This fieldwork offered our team a unique opportunity to apply their specialized skills in marine mammal medicine and collaborate with leading experts in the field. It was an unforgettable experience, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, research, and dedication in protecting these remarkable animals.
Research News Featured
